Alysha+McGrattan

= = =__CHEMISTRY __= "Chemistry is like cooking without ever being able to lick the bowl." #1- //**Bioluminescence**// Okay, so I’m sure you’ve all heard of bioluminescence, if not I’ll give you a clue- it’s the chemical reactions that enable organism to generate their own light -think fireflies or avatars. If you still have no idea what I'm talking about, the video below will get you up to speed on the subject!

media type="youtube" key="UXl8F-eIoiM" height="385" width="640" A little unknown fact about me is that I’m obsessed with the Discovery Channel (I have a soft spot for those British documentaries), so naturally, I’ve seen a show or two... or three on bioluminescence. The funny thing is I never really understood how exactly it worked.

Now that I’ve researched it, I will attempt to break it down for you guys.

Webster’s online dictionary defines bioluminescence as being “the emission of light from living organisms; //also//: the light so produced”.

In the chemical reaction that is bioluminescence, at least two chemicals are required- one to produce the light, normally called a “luciferin” and one to catalyze the reaction (or get it going)- a “luciferase”. The reaction itself happens like so:

1. First, the luciferase starts the oxidation of the luciferin 2. This results in light and an inactive dirivitave of luciferine called oxyluciferine 3. To keep the reaction going, in most cases new luciferin must get into the system, this can be achieved either through diet or internal synthesis.

However, in special organisms, units called “photoprotein” are formed when the luciferine, luciferase and a co-factor like oxygen form a single unit. The photoprotein molecule can be used to produce light at any time when triggered by certain ions being added to it (calcium ions are frequently used to do so).

//* Some bioluminescent animals, like angler fish, form a symbiotic relationship with certain kinds of bacteria. In these animals, the chemical reaction that is bioluminescence takes place in the bacteria rather than the animal itself.//

//Chemistry of bioluminescence//. (2010, March 30). Retrieved from http://www.lifesci.ucsb.edu/~biolum/chem/ Earth, BBC. (Producer). (2009). //Amazing and wierd creatures exhibit bioluminescence//. [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXl8F-eIoiM

__#2- No two people smell alike! __

A few days ago I was driving with my sister and noticed that she smelled good- a very rare occurrence (just kidding, she’d shoot me if she saw this). So Naturally I asked her what kind of perfume she had on. To my surprise, it was my fragrance that she had stolen- only it smelled totally different on me. The car ride quickly turned into the reoccurring fight of “STOP STEALING MY THINGS!”, but it also prompted me to research whether I’m just crazy, or if perfumes really do smell differently on different people.  Turns out I’m not a nut job (Y)! The reasoning is actually quite simple. Say you put a little odorous chemical on a piece of glass and leave it for a while. The sample will get smaller and smaller until it is completely gone due to evaporation. Perfumes are a mix of dozens of chemicals, and each one has a different rate of evaporation. When you apply perfume, the smell varies over time as a result of the different odours evaporating at assorted times. Theoretically, if our skin was all the same the fragrance of perfume would not vary with each individual. However, no two people have the exact same skin composition; some have different degrees of dry skin, oily skin, or combination skin.  This means that the rate that the chemicals are being released at depends on which chemicals are fat or water soluble, or can bind with other skin components like collagen and the amount of these components in your skin. Essentially, your skin type will dictate when and which chemicals are released, creating a whole new smell! Ziesmann, J. (2001, November 26). //Re: why does perfume smell differently on differnt people?//. Retrieved from http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/2001-11/1006805763.Gb.r.html 

__#3-__ __Crack Open the Syrup! __ N <span style="color: #d28032; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">avindra Seeram, a University of Rhode Island researcher who specializes in plant research, that maple syrup from Canada contains more than 20 compounds linked to human health. Thirteen of these compounds are newly discovered in maple syrup and eight of them are new discoveries in the maple family itself for the first time. Many of these newly identified anti-oxidant compounds are also thought to have anti-cancer, anti-bacterial and anti-diabetic properties. //<span style="color: #d28032; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">*Table syrup contains mostly maple flavouring and only a small amount of actual syrup, so make sure you get the real deal if you want to reap the benefits! //

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 90%;">University of Rhode Island (2010, March 25). Pure maple syrup contains medicinally beneficial compounds, pharmacy researcher finds. //ScienceDaily//. Retrieved April 11, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2010/03/100321182924.htm

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 * 1) 4- 5 Weird Ingredients in Beauty Products

<span style="background-color: #fcd4f5; color: #ff00ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12.1pt;">1. Sodium Chloride (table salt)- Salt is a common ingredient in basically anything that foams- shampoo, facial cleanser, body wash, bubble bath, etc...

2. Oleoresin Capsicum- This is a common ingredient in pepper spray that causes a warming sensation when applied to the skin. Many pain and itch creams contain Oleoresin Capsicum.

3. Diatomaceous Earth- Also known as diatomite, this is one of the two components of dynamite- along with nitroglycerine. It’s a silica based powder composed of the fossilized remains of a hard shelled algae called diatoms. Diatomite particles are hollow and porous and it is for this reason that they’re used in natural toothpastes, deodorant, absorbent powders, cuticle cream, and exfoliating products.

<span style="background-color: #fcd4f5; color: #ff00ff; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 12.1pt;">4. Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil- Otherwise known as shortening, this Trans fat filled lard is perfect for moisturising and is found in most creams, lip balms and suntan products.

<span style="background-color: #fcd4f5; color: #ff00ff; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">5. <span style="background-color: #fcd4f5; color: #ff00ff; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 12.1pt;">Urea - This chemical used to be extracted from horse pee (urine, <span style="background-color: #fcd4f5; color: #ff00ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12.1pt;">urea...see the similarity?) and is a skin softner and humectants, meaning that it helps to collect and hold moisture in the skin. Thank god it doesn’t come from urine anymore because it’s used in a wide variety of products such as cosmetics, household cleansers and hair products.



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Crezo, A. (2008, July 18). //Nine weird ingredients in makeup//. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/personal/07/18/mf.makeup/index.html

=<span style="color: #242460; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">#5- New Potential Anti- Cancer Drugs =

<span style="color: #242460; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: center;"> Chemists have discovered a new 3-step synthesis of a naturally occurring compound in the marine sponge //Dysidea frondosa// which is believed to have anti- inflammatory properties and the potential to be used as anti cancer and HIV therapies.

Once upon a time it took over 20 very complicated steps to synthesise this compound, but thanks to David MacMillan and his colleagues at Princeton University, it is now possible to do in 3. <span style="color: #242460; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"> An expert in natural synthesis at the University of Alberta, Derrick Clive, called this solution remarkable, saying the simplicity of the find is genius.

Brodie, R. (2010, May 21). //Three steps to potential anticancer drugs//. Retrieved from http://www.rsc.org/Publishing/ChemScience/Volume/2010/06/three_step_synthesis.asp

<span style="color: #1d3905; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 195%;">#6 <span style="color: #1d3905; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 130%;">- <span style="color: #1d3905; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 195%;">D <span style="color: #1d3905; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 130%;">ragon <span style="color: #1d3905; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 195%;">S <span style="color: #1d3905; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 130%;">kin

<span style="color: #1d3905; display: block; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">Here’s a video explaining dragon skin- a new type of body armour that uses interlocking ceramic and titanium composite disks to shield the blow of some of the most powerful guns of today. Not only can this armour stop the bullet from piercing skin, but the way the disks are laid out disperses the force of the impact over a larger area, hopefully saving the life of its wearer from a deadly blow. <span style="color: #1d3905; display: block; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;">I’m by no means interested in military technology, but even I find this pretty cool! <span style="color: #1d3905; display: block; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: center;">

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<span style="background-color: #000000; color: #ffffff; display: block; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;">#7- T- Shirt Armour As I was researching information on Dragon Skin, I came across a newer, and in my opinion more interesting way of creating military grade armor. Recently, chemists have found a way to turn cotton into boron carbide, one of the hardest materials on earth. First, the chemists soaked the 100% cotton samples in a solution of boron powder and nickel-based catalyst. Next they heated them to 1100°C for 4 hours (while argon was being poured over them to prevent burning). The small pores in the cotton trap the powder and during this process the cotton fibers change to carbon fibers that react to the powder producing boron carbide. Though the process is still experimental, they hope that one day they’ll be able to turn t-shirts into super flexible, strong body armor that weighs way less than anything in existence today! Fun fact: During the chemical process the t-shirts undergo, they change from completely white to all black!

Newitz, A. (2010, April 6). //Chemists convert cotton t-shirts to military-grade body armour//. Retrieved from http://io9.com/5510318/chemists-convert-cotton-t+shirts-to-military+grade-body-armor

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Georgia,serif;">#8- <span style="color: #404040; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 130%;">L <span style="color: #404040; font-family: Georgia,serif;">ucky <span style="color: #404040; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">N <span style="color: #404040; font-family: Georgia,serif;">umber <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 150%;">7 <span style="color: #404040; font-family: Georgia,serif;"> (or should i say 8) In physics (yes, physics) there are seven magic numbers- 2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82 and 126. When an atom has a magic number of either protons or neutrons, the atom’s super stable. When //both// the protons and the neutrons are “magic” it’s called a double magic atom. Only six of these extra stable have been discovered- until now. <span style="color: #404040; font-family: Georgia,serif;">These isotopes include helium-4 (2 protons, 2 neutrons), lead-208 (82 protons, 126 neutrons) calcium-48 (20 protons, 28 neutrons) and nickel-48 (28 protons, 20 neutrons). The newest member to the family is tin-132 which had 50 protons and 82 neutrons. Tin-132 is the first double magic isotope to be both radioactive and neutron rich. Its discovery will help physicists better understand the “r-process” (short for rapid process) - which is attributed to the formation of around 50% of the elements heavier than iron. The //rapid// process happens when supernovas collapse and massive amounts of free neutrons are released and then captured by nuclei, forming heavy elements. Tin-132’s great stability allows physicists to study its properties closely and determine just how exactly this process works.

Wilkins, A. (2010, May 26). //Check out tin-132, the double magic isotope//. Retrieved from http://io9.com/5548645/check-out-tin+132-the-double-magic-isotope

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The chemistry here is pretty simple. Water is made up of 2 hydrogen atoms “group-hugging” an oxygen atom. In certain conditions the hydrogen atoms can be broken off- leaving their electrons with the oxygen. This means the oxygen atom will become negatively charged and the hydrogen atoms will, of course, be positive. Obtaining electrons from this break up is the key factor in an explosion. This article continues to explain a simple method of creating a do-it-yourself water explosion, but considering some of the characters in our class (ahem, Clement) I’ve decided to leave out the step by step instructions. I’m sure Mrs. Lightfoot will thank me for this! P.S. The last video is the coolest!
 * 1) 9- Oxygen and Hydrogen Explosions

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//Another Way to make water explode//. (2010, April 9). Retrieved from http://io9.com/5510287/another-way-to-make-water-explode

= #10- The KUDZU Invasion = <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">If I said I was about to do my very last chem wiki post (thank god) on a monster vine, I’d probably get about 5 of you wiki police jumping down my throat saying that vines belong on biology wikis. Well it just so happens that I AM doing my post on vines and it DOES relate to chemistry! So HA! Research recently published in the //Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences// shows that the super fast growing kudzu vine in the southern and eastern United States could be responsible for more toxic ozone emisson than cars! A University of Virginia professor of environmental sciences and biology, and co-author of the study, Manuel Lerdau states that the findings show the invasion “has the capacity to degrade air quality, and in all likelihood over time lead to increases in air pollution, increases in health problems caused by that air pollution, and decreases in agricultural productivity". This vine rivals even the dirtiest dry cleaners and the tallest trucks in the race to pollute our earth’s air. You’d think that this would mean that finally, we humans can let ourselves off the hook for being the only organisms on earth that are destroying our planet, right?

Wrong. The kudzu is a weed native to parts of Asia. It’s only spreading wildly across the U.S because people introduced it to our continent in the 19th century. These vines could wreak havoc on our air quality if they continue to spread. It seems as though the U.S government has gotten itself into yet another pickle. If they let the vines take over our atmosphere will suffer and if they exterminate them using harsh pesticides, well we’ve seen the effects of dangerous pesticides up close thanks to Base Gagetown. Looks like we’ll have to wait and see what kind of solution the big guys in the white house will come up with.

//How the Kudzu invasion is poisoning the air with ozone//. (2010, May 17). Retrieved from http://io9.com/5541142/how-the-kudzu-invasion-is-poisoning-the-air-with-ozone

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